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Francis (Fran) Thomas O’Brien

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SUN CITY WEST, AZ - Fran was welcomed home on August 12, 2020 after battling heart disease for many years. His 80 years on earth were filled with an abundance of love and laughter.
Fran is survived by his wife Eleanor of 57 years, sons Blaine (Tracy) and Bradlee (Molly), daughter Kerry Anderson (Brian) and four grandchildren, Aidan, Rachel, Anamika and Samantha. He is also survived by brothers Richard (Kathie) and Steve (Darla), sisters Kathleen LaPlante (Gary) and Patti Dold (Romane), sisters-in-law Lois O’Brien and Lois Balodis as well as brothers-in-law Don Forsythe (Karen) and Elwood Forsythe (Gail). Fran was a beloved uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gary.
He was born to Thomas and Mary O’Brien in Murray County, Minnesota and raised on their family farm. He graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Currie, Minnesota, and he enjoyed a long career in the field of computer science, spending many years with the Honeywell and Fingerhut companies.
In 1963, he married Eleanor Forsythe of Plover, Iowa. They spent most of their life together in Bloomington, Minnesota. 
In retirement they were Arizona snowbirds for ten years and became full-time Sun City West residents in 2018. No matter where he was, Fran never missed the opportunity to make a new friend or ten.
Fran enjoyed being outdoors as much as possible whether he was coaching their children’s youth sports teams, playing golf or having conversations on the patio. He was a bit of a card shark, enjoying all types of games with a friendly round of poker being his favorite.
His greatest pleasure in life was helping others in any way he could, whether it be family, friends or the community. Fran will be missed, especially for his friendly smile, kind heart and quick wit. May he rest in peace.
A funeral mass will be held in September in Minnesota followed by a private burial. Memorials may be sent in Fran’s honor to Bridging of Bloomington, www.bridging.org or Meals on Wheels of Sun City West, https://www.suncitymealsonwheels.org/donate/.